Retire to Thatcham

This delightful nature reserve in Thatcham is the perfect place for an easy waterside stroll in Berkshire

Retirement living in Thatcham

Thatcham, Berkshire has a lively reputation and long history. It’s believed to be the oldest continually habited place in Britain and can be traced back 12,000 years. You can enjoy an active retirement here with plenty of sport and clubs on your doorstep. 

Local retirees enjoy: 

Thatcham High Street has a variety of amenities to meet your day-to-day needs

Amenities in Thatcham

Thatcham has a variety of amenities to meet your day-to-day needs from hairdressers to pet groomers.

  • Groceries -The town centre has a Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsburys, Co-op, and several independent stores. Additionally, stalls at the weekly market sell fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and flowers. It’s held on Fridays on The Broadway and is a favourite of the local community. 
  • Shops - Kingsland Shopping Centre offers multiple shops and services under one roof. You’ll also find a range of independent retailers on the high street.
  • Healthcare -The nearest hospital is West Berkshire Community Hospital, which provides palliative care, rehabilitation, and cares for minor injuries. There are two GP surgeries, alongside a choice of dentists, pharmacies and opticians. 
The Nature Discovery Centre and cafe is located beside Thatcham Lake

Explore the surrounding areas

Set in the countryside along the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal, there’s plenty to explore in the area around Thatcham. 

  • Walking around the Nature Discovery Centre and cafe, located beside Thatcham Lake. This is a great location to visit with grandchildren, who can enjoy the nearby adventure playground. 
  • Newbury Racecourse, a 15 minutes’ drive from Thatcham, is one of the leading racing venues in the UK, hosting 29 race days per year. The Ladbrokes Trophy is the highlight of the racing calendar. 
  • If you love to explore and ramble in the great outdoors, the North Wessex Downs are a 20 minute drive away, and classed as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 
Thatcham Directions

Transport and connections

Despite the rural location, our retirement properties for sale in Thatcham offer enviable transport links to the wider area.

  • By car 
    The A339 runs through Newbury, a short distance from Thatcham, and connects the town to larger cities like Reading and Oxford
  • By bus 
    Reading and Basingstoke are reachable by bus, as well as most nearby small towns like Newbury. Concessionary bus passes are available from the West Berkshire council. 
  • By rail 
    Thatcham’s train station offers fast, convenient travel around Berkshire and London - you can be the capital in just under an hour.  
  • By air
    London Heathrow Airport is around 40 miles away - you can be there in under an hour by car or taxi.

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Frequently asked questions

While Thatcham is located in a rural area, the local train station offers easy access to the rest of the country, with direct routes to Reading and Newbury, as well as London. The town itself is walkable, but there are also buses to help you explore the surrounding area.

The local community has a warm, welcoming reputation. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to introduce yourself at the local clubs, events, and other groups. Many of these are suited for the entire community, while groups like the local U3A cater specifically to retirees. 

Thatcham offers several generally well-rated GP surgeries and dentists for regular healthcare, while Thatcham Pharmacy is on hand to fulfil any prescriptions you need. West Berkshire Community Hospital is a 5 minute drive away and equipped to deal with minor injuries. For emergency care, Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading is a 43 minutes away. 

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